Leave It to Wally

I've always found the adorable little brother to be a hilarious storytelling cliche--no one can resist them! But today, adorable little brothers everywhere have been dealt a blow. Just look at Lu Ann staring down Wally. She's like, "Lemons? Really? I can't believe this crap. Stop shaking that thing in my face, Opie." I guess the littlest Linski is normally quite the charmer though, as Paul seems genuinely perterbed by his mother's premonitions. Watch out, Paul!

Eternal Flame

Get your very own Chocolate Groundhog Day Cake! Now with 33% more groundhog! Paul's actually not teasing Lu Ann, he's teasing you, Mother of Paul. Perhaps the malevolent black spirit lurking behind you is clouding your mind. Now, make a wish Lu Ann, before it gets you too!

Attack of the Pod Parents

Surprise, Lu Ann! I know you don't have any good parents, so I thought you could borrow mine for the day! I'll just get out of your hair and go see Kung Fu Panda 2 by my lonesome.

Double Duty

Casey's a little bit busy, so I'm pulling double duty tonight and commenting on both yesterday's and today's strips. Congrats to Maggie for 50 followers, and I hope that she's already hard at work on those koozies.

Thursday, June 23rd
Let's be clear, this special birthday trip isn't because I'm friends with Lu Ann, it's because I pity her for having a horrible mother. I'll have to defer to Maggie, our resident A3G historian for any previous references to Lu Ann's mother and why she and Lu Ann aren't close. And if they're not close, then Lu Ann's mother might not have forgotten her birthday, she might be spitefully ignoring it. Margo's hand seems to be answering her rhetorical question with an "L for loser mother."

Friday, June 24th


Spirit guide? I didn't think that tarot cards made any references to spirit guides, but I am not up on current psychic methods. CHANGE?!?!? Like when Kat tried to change my hair? Way to be a pessimist, Lu Ann. You could win a hundred million dollars and your life would never be the same. And I too question who could love Lu Ann that much. I mean she's a little slow on the uptake. Could it be she will reconnect with her estranged mother? Or will Paul make a move into her heart?

Happy 50th!

Hey everyone, it's Casey's day to blog about crazy Lu Ann's psychic adventure, but I just had to say something when I noticed this blog just got its 50th Follower! Whooo! The big 5-0!

We were stuck at 49 for a lonnnng time. I considered soliciting anyone who reads this blog but hasn't followed it yet. I considered asking my mom (already hit up my dad). But no, somehow based on merit alone that 50th follower came along. Thank you, #50. Thank you. And thank you to everyone else who followed us earlier and made 50 possible!

Not following us yet? Please do! If we hit 100, I'd probably be so excited I would buy everyone an A3G drink koozie.*

*actually, probably not, but maybe!

Laura's Dark Parlor

Apparently, Laura embraces the doubters by letting them scurry out the door as quickly as possible. By the way, how great a name for a psychic is Laura? Madame Laura, probably. Madame Laura's Dark Parlor. Ha ha! Wow.

Lu Ann Has Never Been Happier!

I cannot stop laughing at Lu Ann in the second panel. The wide, crazy eyes, the violent shaking, the slightly sinister smile...It's fantastic! I wonder what this psychic is going to tell Lu Ann? I'm not going to lie, I was kind of hoping for an old, eastern European, gypsy woman..."I vant you to look deep into my crEEEstal ball...vhat do you see?" Laura doesn't look like a psychic, she looks like my elementary school librarian.

And Now for Something Completely Different

WHAAAAAAAAT.

1. it's Lu Ann's birthday!
2. they took her to a psychic.
3. she's happy about it?
4. she's wearing something moderately stylish!
5. they couldn't find a decent psychic in New York City?
6. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!

Lu Ann always had a thing about ghosts, I guess, so why not a spooky retreat to some backwaters "village" upstate? Got to admit, this summer's off to a great start! I predict Scooby Doo-style hijinks and mystery solving.

Thank You, Come Again

Super special Sunday edition! I bring you this not because it's particularly interesting, but because we will probably never see Tommie's mother again and I wanted one more looking at her hair. What the heck is up with that floating bun? It's up, it's down, it's moving all around! Floating bun, I'll miss you. Travel safe, and call me as soon as you get home.

Now! What's next?

Leaving So Soon?

OH WELL, it's been great having you in the strip for all of six days, but we don't want you overstaying your welcome, Mrs. Thompson! Also, we want no details of your visit with your daughter. It was enough for us to see you standing dumbly outside the apartment for a few days, finally seeing your daughter, and then leaving immediately. No need to spend the night, make a weekend of it, maybe prolong Tommie's happiness! Let's get you out of there.

Hug it Out!

Oh Iris, you did have something left up your sleeve! Susan's so excited to finally be visiting the city that she put in her extra tall Bump It! so that the back of her hair had a nice view of all the sights. I wonder why Tommie's Mommie was so reluctant to visit? And yes, it's Tommie's Mommie and I stand by that, Maggie. We shall agree to disagree.

Dream, or Nightmare?

I'm hoping Margo still hasn't had that coffee, because I'd like to see what happens when you throw together Tommie, her equally blah mother, and a rabid Margo. First thing's first though, Tommie has to lunge at, or perhaps fall on, her mother.

Margo vs. the Mother

Oh Margo, you crabby thing you. The interrobang makes it seem like Margo's on edge, but her stone-cold stare in the third panel says, "I'll cut a B... and I won't think twice about it." Mother Susan better hang up before Margo slams her ceramic coffee mug against the table and stabs Susan through the phone with the shards.

Meanwhile, how did Kat and Kitty let Margo keep that nightgown??

Deliberations

So A3G obeys seasons right? I mean when it's Christmastime in the real world, it's Christmas in the strip, at least on that day. Nothing like a trench coat and summer turtleneck in June! It's obviously not too early, as the blue couples are heading out for breakfast after nights spent in deep, tender, blue passion.

Did Tommie and her mommie have some sort of falling out? Why is she dragging her heels on this? She's probably not wearing heels though. I'll bet that she's wearing sturdy, square toed flats to highlight her coquettish figure.

I can't do the magic thought bubble disappearing, so you'll have to use your imaginations. Unless Mags feels like doing it for you.

Mother of Tommie

If you've been paying attention to the strip lately, you have more than an inkling that this is Tommie's mother. She is, as predicted, way dowdy. Presuming she doesn't get distracted by deli food along the way, we should expect Mother of Tommie to arrive at 3-G by mid-July.

And, because I can't help myself with all these thought balloons, here's another strip in the "Thoughtless A3G" series.

One More Trick

While Lu Ann continues to freak out off-panel, Tommie speculates that Aunt Iris' reign of cheery, helpful terror isn't over. Look at Margo. She's tired of putting up with this feel-good fairy godmother Touched by an Angel crap. Her expression seems to say, "This is still going? When can I stop being thankful and go back to ignoring you?"

Jeepers Creepers

Not as spooky as your involuntary head "nod-bobble", Lu Ann. Nor as spooky as how you and Tommie happen to be wearing the EXACT same frumpy blouse, yet don't question or acknowledge it. However, it is as spooky as that lurking, menacing black hole behind your head in the first panel. You know what else is probably very spooky? Your boyfriend's secluded, abandoned shack.

Bippity-Boppity-Boo

It's true! I was no fun at all before I met that fun-loving, free-wheeling architect. Is Iris an aunt or a fairy godmother? And how is the remodeling of the Mills gallery free? Iris is a miracle worker! Also, you're giving that piano a lot of credit. Did that piano overlook Dan Dierdorf's off-putting hobo appearance and offer him a cup of human kindness? Oh Iris, if only all of your planning and effort weren't in vain. Go join Mama Kat in the afterlife for all the A3G cameo characters who struggle to improve these girls lives only to have everything go back to normal the next week.

Think About It, Lu Ann

I like how Lu Ann is genuinely puzzled by Tommie's first statement. "What work?? You mean she had a job?? I never saw her go to work! I guess even gypsys need jobs! So does that mean there's a vacancy in her department? Because commissions on my paintings of green squiggles are not paying the bills."

Movin' On Out

That answer made Margo so angry that her neck grew between panels, like a hostile, leathery faced turtle. She can also channel her rage to redecorate the room with her angry mind. "Your answer displeases me! Out with the green curtain and bring me my oaken bookcase of RED, ANGRY BOOKS!!!!!"

I agree with Maggie. I'm pretty sure most people don't care about Iris being a nomad, but they have been burned by her inability to say goodbye. Wasn't Tommie just like "I'm so happy we're close and you're in my life, let's never fall out of touch! LYLAS, HAGS xoxoxoxo Tommie...?" At least Tommie still has Kris Kristofferson or whatever that guy's name was...

Caution

The phrase "That gal is a caution," in which Aunt Iris--Aunt Iris!--is described as both a "gal" and a "caution," indicates to me that Mrs. Bloom AKA Taser Lady is at least a million years old. The last time I tried to call some one a caution, I'm pretty sure I confused my sister and she beat me up.

Speaking of caution, look out Tommie! These days, the only reason people leave letters sealed in envelopes is when they want to Anthrax you. She couldn't tape a note to the wall? Or send an email? Or a text? OR SAY GOODBYE?

Rude

HOLY CRAP! Florida ages one, doesn't it? Taser Lady was a brunette last we saw her, and now she's uh.. Martha Washington? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, Prissy (the Wonder Cat) has similar color-changing tendencies.

So did Aunt Iris fly the coop without saying goodbye? She thinks that people don't approve of her "gypsy lifestyle," but if gypsies just left without saying goodbye or washing the dishes in the sink or anything, I wouldn't approve of them either.

The White Lady of 3J

I'm just picturing Tommie standing in a poorly lit hallway with ear pressed to the door, straining to hear what is going on inside 3J. Maybe Aunt Iris has the TV on because she wants you to think she's busy. She's all talked out! Seriously though, when did Mrs. Bloom get back? I mean Tommie was just there, wasn't she? Maybe Mrs. Bloom just got back from a resort where they have a strict "your shirt color must match your hair color" policy and hasn't had time to change. Where is this storyline going?

White Female's Single

I really believe Tommie's obsession with her aunt has become unhealthy. Granted, Margo obviously has no interest in hearing Tommie's stupid song, so it's not like she'd say "I can't wait for YOU to hear it," but still... I have this vision in my head of Tommie knocking desperately on Iris's door with every "latest version" of the song. Dang, girl, just wait til it's done. No wonder she's avoiding you.